Task 1 - Type foundry research

What do you understand a type foundry to be, and what is the origin of the word 'foundry' in the context of type?

I understand a type foundry to be a sort of workplace that produces fonts and types to be used be it for the communication of ideas and products.

In the context of a foundry, essentially a factory that casts metal, a type foundry specifies in creating fonts. It is called a "type foundry" because originally type letters were cast in metal or wood to be then arranged in spepcific orders and spell out words/phrases.

Who set up the foundry you have chosen to research, what is their background and where are they based? (You may need to go beyond the website to find this out!)

The foundry I chose was set up by Laura Meseguer who is a freelance designer who works both in type and graphics. She is based in Barcelona and has been working in the industry since 1992. In 2003 she decided to pursue a post-graduate course in type at the Royal Academy of Arts in the Hague which pushed her to work on he own. Her works themselves have gained many prizes for their ingenuity and original approach at typography, for example: the Rumba typeface that she created during her time in the Netherlands won the 2011 ATypl prize, furthermore her Lalola typeface and her BCNMCR letter project respectively won the TDC and a certificate of excellence.

How would you describe the kinds of typefaces they design? Be creative with your descriptions.

I would describe Mesguer's typefaces as simple yet alluring. Meseguer rarely overcomplicates her font and each of them conveys a specific mood and feeling. In general the fonts follow irregular geometric paths but their simplicity makes the lettering easy to read and fun to read. Meseguer also diversifies her typefaces by switching from geometric to more abstract, free-flowing linear typefaces that seem more fancy and professional depending on the context they could be used in.

Is there a typeface on the site that particularly stands out to you? Why?

I personally very much like the Sisters font and the use of contrast by Meseguer to emphasise the presence of the typeface in the communication. The Sisters font is simple, slim but grand uppercase letters that split at the junctions. For example, with the letter "E" there are three junctions where lines are perpendicular and in which Meseguer has left a small space. This allows the letters to stay readable while also different. I personally like this one as it reminds me of old covers and posters, the type is formal but also playful since in itself it is very simple.

An important addition of the Sisters typeface is that it is composed of 4 distinct styles that vary on the weight of the lettering:

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Differences between Sisters 1-4 illustrated on the Laura Meseguer website. What is interesting is that in reality there are only two fonts present but the mixing of them allows the creation of a cool distinct quartet.

What methods are used on the website to demonstrate the design, functionality and origins of the foundry's typefaces?

Meseguer uses various methods to make her website easy and practical for the viewer to navigate through. A first difference to the other type foundries I was able to see was the the presence of previous works using her font. This gives an idea of how important font can be as well as an understanding of the range Meseguer works with.

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Example of how Meseguer demonstrates her use of her fonts.

Furthermore Meseguer also has various sections within her websites to give a full sense of who she is and her works. This makes sense since she is a freelancer part of her job is to also sell herself as well as her products. What I personally very much liked was a section focused on more original projects atypical to the usual use of fonts. This section was called "Other Type Projects" and shows how Meseguer's fonts were also used for art exhibition, flag designs and even panels. This shows range but also indicates that the artist is an open person willing to attempt new things out of the ordinary and personally it convinces me in wanting to work with.

Poster for the Design Hub in Barcelona.

Personal exhibition of Meseguer where she was able to show her works under various angles.

Flag Design for a united Korea flag.

Bibliography:

Laura Meseguer, https://www.laurameseguer.com/.

“Laura Meseguer.” Laura Meseguer | Adobe Fonts, https://fonts.adobe.com/designers/laura-meseguer.

RESEARCH - Building Blocks

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